Container



H. L. MYERS Aug, 3, 1937.

CONTAINER Filed May 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 72/ INVENTOR. JLAROLD I. IYYERS ATTORNEY Au 3, 1937. H MYER 2,089,067

CONTAINER Filed May 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HARM D I. firs/1's ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER Harold L. Myers, Morristown, N. J.

Application May 11, 1935, Serial No. 20,953

3 Claims.

its limits, Fig. l is a perspective view of one form tive view of another form of the novel box; Fig. 8

is a plan view thereof partly in section; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of still another form of the novel box, and Fig, 11 is a plan view thereof.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the box comprises a rectangular body l5 consisting of a continuous strip of cardboard or other suitable material divided into a plurality of sections which for convenience have been designated herein as a front panel a, a rear panel I; and opposite end panels 0 and d respectively. The several/sections or panels are foldably connected with each other along score lines l6 and are secured in the intended rectangular relation by means of a tab ll located at one end of said continuous strip and foldably connected along a score line l8 for instance with one end of the rear panel b to form an extension thereof; the tab I1 is glued or otherwise suitably secured in surface connection with the end panel 0 as shown in 01 said front and rear panels in the illustrated example; the member or panel e constitutes an extension of a.b0ttom member or panel I and is foldably connected therewith along a score line 2|, said bottom panel f in turn being foldably 5 connected along a score line 22 with the lower edge of the end panel (1. In the illustrated arrangement a slot 23 extends transversely across the. panel I and partly across the panel e at a predetermined point between the opposite free 10 edges of said panels e and f, the portion 23 of the slot 23 located in the panel e constituting a downwardly open notch in the upright operative position of the panel e for the purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter. Similarly the 15 other transverse partition 20 consists of a partition member or panel e dimensioned to fit between the front and rear panels a and b and of corresponding vertical width in the illustrated example; the panel e constitutes an extension of a bottom memberor panel ,f' and is foldably connected therewith along a score line 2, said bottom panel f in turn being foldably connected along a score line 22 with the lower edge of the other end panel 0. In the form of box under discussion the panels e and f are not provided with a slot corresponding to the slot 23 although in some forms of this box said panels e and 1" might include such a slot.

The particular box shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive further includes a longitudinal partition 24 which in the specific example selected for descriptive purposes extends between the end panel d and the transverse partition 20 and is in intersecting interlocking engagement with the transverse partition l9 as will be more clearly set forth hereinafter. In the illustrated box the longitudinal partition 24 may be of approximately the same vertical dimensions as the end panels 0 and d and the transverse partitions l9 and 20, although as specifically shown said longitudinal partition 24 is slightly lower than said end panels and transverse partitions. The longitudinal partition 24 consists of two corresponding partition members or panels g and g of a length corresponding to the distance between the end panel d and the transverse partition 20 and provided with registering open notches 25 for the'accommodation of the transverse partition l9 as will foldably connected along a score line 26 with a bottom panel h which itself is foldably connected along a score line 21 with the lower edge of the front panel a and corresponds in length thereappear more fully hereinafter. The panel g is 5 t0; Similarly the panel a is foldably connected 5 along a score line 26' with a second bottom panel h. which in turn is foldably connected along a score line 21' with the lower edge of the rear panel b and corresponds in length thereto. with the described and illustrated arrangement the panels g and a are somewhat shorter than the respective panels h and h with which they are connected, this being due to the fact that the longitudinal partition 24 terminates at the transverse partition 20 and does not cross the same; obviously this is not an arbitrary arrangement as the longitudinal partition 24 might extend between the opposite end walls 0 and d in which case the panels a and 0 would be dimensioned to provide this result.

In the folded operative condition of the illus-' trated form of the novel box the bottom panels h and 71. together constitute the bottom thereof and are dimensioned to provide such bottom. The relative dimensions of the bottom panels h and h with respect to each other depend upon the predetermined location of the longitudinal partition 24 in the box; in any case when the box is of the constructive type shown in the drawings the sum of the dimensions of the two panels h and h is always such as to cause said panels together to form a complete bottom for said box. It will be obvious that in some forms the bottom of the box may be otherwise formed than by the panels h. and h in which case the latter are correspondingly foldable into horizontal relation to the body and simply serve to provide and position the longitudinal partition 26.

The box illustrated by way of example in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive includes a main cover 23 and auxiliary covers 29 and 30, which covers may in some cases be modified or even omitted if desired. The main cover 28, in the form shown, is foldably connected with the upper edge of the rear panel b along a score line 3|, and at its free end is provided with a tongue 32 foldable on a score line 33 for fixing the cover in its closed position.

The auxiliary covers 23 and 30 which are included in the box shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive each consist of a closing panel i foldably connected with the upper edges of the end panels 0 and d respectively along score lines 34, and locking tongues foldably connected along score lines 35 with the respective panels 1'; the locking tongue :i of the auxiliary cover 29, in the form of box illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, is provided with an open notch 36 for the purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

In constructing the form of box shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive from the blank shown in Fig. 5,

the rectangular body i 5 is first completed by folding the respective sections or panels a, b, c and :1 upon the score lines it into proper relative positions and then folding the tab I! on the score line l8 into surface engagement with the inner face of the end panel 0 and pasting or otherwise se curing it thereto. It will of course be obvious that the tab i! or its equivalent may form a foldable part of one of the other panels, which constitute the body i5 and be connected with a co-operating panel other than as illustrated if this should be desirable or convenient. After the body I5 has been completed the bottom panels I and f are folded inwardly on the score lines 22 and 22 into horizontal relation to said body or in other words to positions at right angles to the end panels 0 and d as indicated in Fig. '6; as the next step the panels e and e are folded on the score lines 2i and 2i respectively to upright positions within the body I 5 as also shown in Fig.

8. At this stage the panels a and e are located in spaced parallel relation to each other and to the end panels 0 and d and extend vertically between the front panel a. and the rear panel b to form the transverse partitions l3 and 20 as shown in Fig. 1.

The bottom panels h and h are now folded inwardly on the score lines 21 and 21' into horizontal relation to the body so as to lie over and in surface engagement with the lower faces of the panels I and f and in position at right angles to the front panel a and rear panel b respectively; at an appropriate stage in these latter operations the panels a and a are passed upwardly through the slot 23 so as to lie in upright surface engagement with each other to form the longitudinal partition 24 in the body I! between the end panel d and the transverse partition 20 as shown in Fig. 1. In the final position of the panels a and 0' the registering notches 23 thereof receive the panel e of the transverse partition it, while the notch 23' of said panel e accommodates the panels 0 and a as shown in Fig. 2; in other words, the transverse partition i8 and the longitudinal partition 24 are interlocked at their intersection through the cc-operation of the notchas 23' and 25.

With the described arrangement the body of the completed box is provided with two end compartments A and B, and two intermediate compartments C and D; as shown in Fig. 2 the compartment A is divided into two independent subcompartments by the one end portion of the iongitudinal partition 24. It will be apparent that the combination of compartments is capable of wide variation by simply arranging the several partitions in any predetermined manner within the range of the novel construction. As shown in Fig. 1 the end compartments A and B may be closed by folding the panels i into closing position and tucking the locking tongues into said compartments in surface engagement with the panels e and e of the transverse partitions I 9 and 20 as shown in Fig. 3; the notch 38 located in the locking tongue 1 of the auxiliary cover 29 in this case fits over the longitudinal partition 24 and permits said cover 23 to be readily adjusted to its closed position. It will be obvious that the tongues 7' of the auxiliary covers 29 and 30 may be tucked into position exteriorly of the end chamber's A and 3 instead of into the same to lock said oov'ers'29 and 30 in their closed position. To completely close the box the main cover 23 is adjusted into its closed position with the tongue 32 tucked into the body ii in interior surface engagement with the front panel a; in this position of tiie main cover 23, thetonsue 32 is frictionaliy held Between said front panel a.- and the contigunus ends of the auxiliary covers 23 and 30, and the corresgaonding ends of the transverse partitions l3 and 2 Because of the inherent elasticity of the cardboard or-emiivalent characteristics of other materials of {which the boxes are made, the panels e and e constituting the transverse partitions i9 and 2, and the panels a and o constituting the longitudinal partition 24 possess an inherent tendency to assume their normal horizontal positions relatively to the panels with which they are foldabiy connected. In the case of the panels e and c this tendency is counteracted by the interlocking notches 23 and 2! and the one end of the longitudinal partition 24 respectively, while in the case of the panels g and 9 this tendency is opposed by the panels themselves which tend to flatten out in opposite directions and also by the action of the notch 28' of the panel which fits over said panels a and g as shown in Fig. 2. As a result the aforesaid inherent tendency of the several panels in co-operation with adjacent panels is converted into a force whereby the different partitions are rigidly maintained in upright positions to provide efficient partitions within the body IS.

The form of the novel box illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 includes a body i consisting of continuous strip of cardboard or other suitable material divided into a plurality of sections designated as a front panel a, a rear panel b and opposite end panels 0' and (1' respectively. The several panels are foldably connected with each other along score lines l6 and are secured in the intended rectangular relation by means of a tab I! located at one end of said continuous strip and foldably connected along a score line II for instance with the rear panel I) to form a continuation thereof; the tab I1 is glued or otherwise suitably secured in surface connection with the end panel 0' as shown in Fig. 8.

The specific form of box shown by way of example in Figs. 7 and 8 includes a single transverse interior partition and a single longitudinal partition extending at right angles thereto, it being understood that this arrangement is subject to change in accordance with the predetermined purposes for which the particular box is designed. The transverse partition 20 corre-.

sponds to the transverse partition 20 of the form of box first described and likewise consists of a partition member or panel e dimensioned to fit between the front panel a and the rear panel I) and corresponding in vertical width thereto. The member or panel e constitutes an extension of a bottom member or panel f and is foldably connected therewith along a score line 2 I, said bottom panel F in turn being foldably connected along a score line 22' with the lower edge of the end panel 0'.

The longitudinal partitionil' in the form of box now being described consists of two corresponding partition members orpanels g and g of a length corresponding to the distance between the end panel d and the transverse partition 20 The panel g is foldably connected along a score line 26 with a bottom panel it while the panel g is similarly connected along a suitable score line with a second bottom panel h the bottom panels h and h are foldably connected along suitable score lines with the lower edges of the front panel a and the rear panel b respectively in a manner corresponding to the arrangement shown and described with respect to the first form of the novel box. Because of the fact that the longitudinal partition 24 terminates at the transverse partition 20 and does not cross the same; the panels 9 and g are somewhat shorter than the respective panels 71. and k obviously this arrangement is subject to change and is not to be regarded as arbitrarily limiting the construction of the particular form of box now being described. The latter as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 further includes independent bottom panels I and I which are foldablyconnected along score lines 22 with the lower edge of the and panel d as illustrated in Fig. 9. At their opposed free edges the panels f and f are provided with recesses 23" and adjacent projections 23''. The form of box under discussion may also include a main cover 28 and auxiliary covers 29, 30 similar to the corresponding covers of the form of box first described, it being understood in some forms of this box any or all of these covers may be omitted.

In constructing the form of box shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the rectangular body I5 is first completed as in the first form after which the bottom panel I is folded inwardly on the score line 22' into horizontal relation to the body or in other words to a position at right angles to the end panels c as shown in Fig. 9. The transverse partition member or panel a is then folded to an upright position on the score line 2| as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9. At this stage or at any predetermined time the panels I and f are likewise folded inwardly on the score lines 22 into horizontal relation to the body of the box or in other words to positions at right angles to the end panel d. In this condition the panels I and f occupy a common horizontal plane with the projections 23 extending toward each other in spaced relation to each other and with the recesses 21 of the respective panels and f in registering alignment. as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The bottom panels h and h are now folded inwardly into horizontal relation to the body so as to lie over and in surface engagement with the lower faces of the panels I I and f as illustrated in Fig. 9; at an appropriate stage in these latter operations the partition members or panels 9 and 9' are passed upwardly between the adjacent recessed ends of the panels I and i so as to lie in upright surface engagement with each other to form the longitudinal partition 24 within the body l5 and between the end panel d and the transverse partition 20 as shown in Fig. 8. The panels I and f are dimensioned to fit snugly between the front panel a and the panel 9 and between the rear panel b and the panel 9 respectively; with this arrangement the projections 23 of the panels I and f are in engagement with the opposite faces of the longitudinal partition 24 and serveto maintain the latter in its intended upright position. This upright position is further maintained by reason of the fact that the panels g, g have an inherent tendency to flatten out in opposite directions which tendency is accordingly converted into a force acting to maintain the longitudinal partition 24 in its intended upright position. The several covers if included in the particular box may be adjusted to their closed positions in the same manner as described with respect to the first form of the novel box.

With the partition arrangement shown and described the box specificially illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 includes an end compartment B' and two longitudinal compartments C and D. The partitioning arrangement may obviouslybe changed to provide any number or type of interior compartments desired.

The form of box shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is provided with a single longitudinal partition 24" which extends between the opposite end panels 0 and d and divides the interior of the box into two adjacent chambers C and D respectively. The longitudinal partition 24' is formed by two panels g and g arranged in upright surface engagement with each other and foldably connected along suitable score lines with bottom members similar to the bottom members previously described, it being understood that the bottom members of the form of box now being described are foldably connected with the front panel a. and the rear panel b respectively as in the forms of boxes previously referred to herein. The panels 9 and g extend upwardly between bottom panels I, I, f and fifoldably connected in co-operating pairs with the bottom edges of the end panels d and respectively.

The bottom panels I, f, I and I have their op-' posed edges recessed and provided with projections in the same manner and for the same purposes as shown and described with respect to the panels I and f of Fig. 8.

This last form of box may be constructed and set up in the same manner as previously described so that in the final condition the panels I and 1 extend in horizontal relation to the body of the box toward the panels f and 1' which likewise project in horizontal relation to said body as illustrated in Fig. 10. The longitudinal partition 24" projects upwardly between the opposed edges of said panels f I, f and j' with the projections of said panels in engagement with the opposite surfaces of said longitudinal partition 24 in the same manner and for the same purposes as set forth with respect to the second form of box described herein, the bottom panels with which the panels a and g are foldably connected lying in surface engagement with the panels I, I f' and I". The form of box shown in Figs. and 11 may also include a main cover 2 and auxiliary covers 29 and 30 any or all of which may be omitted if desired.

In both of the last mentioned two forms of boxes the bottom panels h and h of Figs. 7-9 and the corresponding bottom panels of Figs. 10 and 11 are dimensioned to constitute the bottoms of the box and have relativedimensions depending upon the location of the longitudinal partitions 2 and 24 in the bodies of the respective two boxes. The projections 23 shown in Fig. 8 and the corresponding projections shown in Figs. 10 and 11 and the adjacent slots 23 prevent excessive binding of the parts-and at the .same time provide suflicient bearing engagement between the respective bottom panels and the respective longitudinal partitions 2t and 24 to assist in maintaining said longitudinal partitions in their intended uprightpositions; in some constructions the slots 23 and the projections 23' may be omitted in which case the opposed edges of the panels I and i may be in unbroken engagement with the opposite faces of the longitudinal partitions 24 and 24 In all of its forms the novel box is capable of being easily set up in operative condition from suitable blanks to provide boxes partitioned in any predetermined manner dependent upon the purposes for which the particular boxes are designed. The novel boxes are specially adapted for use for instance as first-aid kits and similar purposes and do not require any materially greater amount of stock in their construction than is necessary in the construction of folding boxes of customary type. The boxes are also easy and economical to manufacture and require no particular skill in the folding or setting up thereof. In their initial unfolded condition the blanks from which the boxes are constructed occupy a minimum amount of space and accordingly are capable of being emciently stored and shipped in large quantities.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim;

1. A container comprising a rectangular body consisting of a plurality of sections foldably connected with each other, a bottom member foldably connected with one of said sections and provided with a slot, said bottom member being foldable into horizontal relation to said body sections, a transverse partition member foldably connected with said bottom member and provided with a notch forming a continuation of said slot, said partition member being adjustable to an upright position in said body to form a transverse partition therein, a. pair of bottom members foldably connected with opposed sections of said body at right angles to said first named bottom member, and longitudinal partition members foldably connected with said pair of bottom members and provided with registering' notches, said longitudinal members being adjustable to upright positions in surface engagement with each other to form a longitudinal partition, the latter intersecting the transverse partition and projecting upwardly through said slot with registering notches of said longitudinal partition and the notch 01 said transverse partition in interlocking engagement with each other whereby said partitions are: maintained in said upright positions.

2. A container comprising a rectangular body consisting of a plurality of sections foldably connected with each other, a first bottom member foldably connected with one of said sections and provided with a slot, said bottom member being foldable into horizontal relation to said body sections, a first transverse partition member foldably connected with said first bottom member and provided with a notch forming a continuation of said .lot, said first transverse partition member being adjustable to an upright position in said body to form afirst end compartment therein, a second bottom member foldably connected with an opposed section of said body and foldable into horizontal relation thereto, a second transverse partition member foldably connected with said second bottom member and adjustable to an upright position in said body to form a second end compartment therein, a third bottom member foldably connected with a body section at right angles to said first and second bottom members and foldable into horizontal relation to said body sections, a longitudinal partition member foldably connected with said third bottom member and provided with a notch, said longitudinal partition member projecting up wardly through said slot with its notch in interlocking engagement with the notch of said first I transverse partition member and its one end in engagement with said second transverse partition member whereby said two transverse partition members are maintained in said upright positions, said' longitudinal partition member forming a longitudinal compartment in said body and dividing said first end compartment in two, and means for completing the bottom of said body to form a second longitudinal compartment in said body.

3. A container comprising a body, a bottom member foldably connected with said body and foldable into horizontal relation thereto, said bottom member being provided with a slot, a partition member foldably connected with said bottom member and provided with a notch forming compartment in said body and to divide said first mentioned compartment and to flx said partition members in upright position, and foldable means for completing said container.

HAROLD L. MYERS. 

